Interpretive Handbook

Test
85681 :
Protein, Total, Random, Urine

Protein in urine is normally composed of a combination of plasma-derived proteins that have been filtered by glomeruli and have not been reabsorbed by the proximal tubules and proteins secreted by renal tubules or other accessory glands.

Increased amounts of protein in the urine may be due to:

-Glomerular proteinuria: caused by defects in permselectivity of the glomerular filtration barrier to plasma proteins (eg, glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome)

Low-grade proteinuria may be seen in inflammatory or neoplastic processes involving the urinary tract.

In a random urine specimen, a protein/creatinine or protein/osmolality ratio can be used to roughly approximate 24-hour excretion rates. The normal protein-to-creatinine ratio for males 18 to 83 years is <0.11 mg/mg creatinine and for females 18 to 83 years is <0.16 mg/mg creatinine. The normal protein-to-osmolality ratio is <0.27.(1) For patients <18 years of age and >83 years of age no reference range has been established.